15: Chapter 14: Am I That Kind of Person?
15: Chapter 14: Am I That Kind of Person?
Chapter 14: Am I That Kind of Person?
Night…
Sean’s room was plastered with posters featuring Charizard, Snorlax, Pikachu, and more.
But the most prominent one was the largest poster of them all, depicting a youth clad in a red jacket and a red cap—the former Kanto Champion, Red.
Lying in bed with nothing to do, he meticulously edited the Violet Gym challenge video and paired it with a thoroughly outrageous title: “SHOCKING!
Rookie’s Debut Battle Actually Forces Gym Leader to Deploy His Ace?!” He then casually uploaded it to his Big Papa account on “Jigglypuff Jigglypuff” and went right to sleep.
He originally thought this would just count as a meme video posted for fun, but he never expected that netizens absolutely lived for this stuff!
Overnight, the video spread like wildfire, exploding into an absolute viral sensation!
The views and likes skyrocketed, launching it straight into the trending charts!
The comment section completely dissolved into a sea of absolute hilarity: [The host better not go outside tonight.
There are dog catchers out there.
(10k+ Likes)] [The host must absolutely avoid eating chocolate.
(20k+ Likes)] [Gengar used Double Slap!
It’s super effective!] […] Meanwhile, Falkner, the Violet City Gym Leader, was scrolling through “Jigglypuff Jigglypuff” before bed to unwind.
Under the precise recommendations of the homepage algorithm, he stumbled across the one video he least wanted to see in his entire life.
Staring at his own utterly humiliated expression on screen, Sean’s devilish whisper of “Right here, little bro!”, and the endless stream of “hahaha” echoing through the comment section…
“You actually dare…
you actually dare post it online!!” Falkner was so furious he nearly crushed his phone.
In a fit of pure rage, he hurled an Ultra Ball from his pocket.
The Ultra Ball hit the ground and burst open in a flash of light, revealing a robust, muscular giant eagle nearly two meters long, boasting brown and pale-yellow plumage.
[Pidgeot Level: 57] Falkner immediately mounted Pidgeot’s back, soaring into the night sky above Violet City to scan the area for any sign of Sean.
“I am going to chop him into absolute mincemeat!” Falkner roared.
…
At the exact same time.
Bugsy, the Azalea Town Bug-type Gym Leader, who was also surfing the web late at night, accidentally scrolled past the video.
“Isn’t this…?” Bugsy frowned deeply after watching the clip…
He figured that based on the video, Sean’s next target was highly likely to be the place not too far from Violet City— His own Azalea Gym!
He instantly exploded!
“No way.
There is absolutely no way I can allow a tragedy like this to happen again, especially not to me!” Bugsy immediately forwarded the video into a group chat named: [Johto Region Gym Leaders, One Big Loving Family].
Bugsy: “@All Members, emergency!
Emergency!
A shameless Trainer has appeared at the Violet Gym, exploiting a massive loophole in the rules to utterly humiliate the Gym setup!
Falkner has fallen victim, and the next one is highly likely to be one of us!” The moment the message was sent, the originally quiet group chat erupted instantly!
Chuck, the Cianwood City Fighting-type Gym Leader, was the first to chime in after watching the video, his tone carrying the steady composure and slight severity of a veteran: “Falkner, it seems you still require much more training!
Even if the gap in the Pokémon’s strength was that massive, as a Trainer, you should have relied on on-the-spot commands and tactical skills to deal with it for a few rounds!” Falkner, who was currently caught in a storm of rage and humiliation, couldn’t help but fall into deep thought upon reading Senior Chuck’s words.
*Could it really be that my own strength is still lacking?* However, Morty, the Ecruteak City Ghost-type Gym Leader, immediately stepped up to counter the argument, having secretly saved the video to use as blackmail material against Falkner later: Morty: “@Fighting Chuck, you talk a big game.
Why don’t you try soloing a Zapdos with a Pidgey without taking damage?
If you don’t get one-shotted, I lose!
It’s easy to preach when it’s not your neck on the line!” Morty: “@Flying Falkner, Falkner, ignore him.
His brain is full of muscle and zero IQ.
This is a pure loophole in the rules, I stand by you!” Chuck: “@Ghost Morty, want to step outside and settle this?
I’ll teach you how to fight!” “…” While everyone was arguing back and forth, a steady and incredibly heavyweight ID appeared.
The group founder, Pryce, the Mahogany Town Ice-type Gym Leader, cut them off: “Quiet down, all of you!” The group chat went dead silent instantly, and no one dared to argue further—except Morty.
Morty: “@Fighting Chuck, think I’m scared of you?
Believe it or not, I’ll bring a whole van of bread-eating boys to wipe you out!” The very next microsecond— Morty was muted by Pryce for 24 hours.
Pryce continued: “This matter concerns the pride of all of us Gym Leaders.
It is no joke!
If subsequent challengers start mimicking the behavior in this video to challenge Gyms, it will deal a catastrophic blow to the entire Gym industry!
We must take this seriously and formally submit a proposal to the League to discuss whether we have the right to adjust our response strategies when facing highly unconventional challengers, or if the League needs to issue more standardized instructional policies!” Following Pryce’s speech, the Gym Leaders finally realized the sheer severity of the issue.
Sean couldn’t have guessed in his wildest dreams that a video he had posted purely for fun had not only landed him right onto the Gym Leaders’ blacklist, but had even shaken the Gym rules the League had maintained for years!
…
…
The next morning.
“Ahhh-ha~” Sean let out a yawn, stretching his arms as he sat up from his bed.
Still feeling a bit groggy, he decided to open “Jigglypuff Jigglypuff” to watch a few videos to wake himself up.
“Huh?” “HUH?!” He rubbed his eyes in sheer disbelief.
“Holy crap!
Cyndaquil, Gengar!” Sean’s eyes went wide as saucers as he stared at the exploding view count and the massive surge in followers.
His mouth split into a grin that nearly reached his ears.
“Holy mother of peak!
I’m going to be filthy rich!
Your boy Sean’s golden age has arrived!
Hahahahaha!” “Inaa…” “Ke-giah…” Having been startled awake, Gengar and Cyndaquil looked thoroughly annoyed.
While Sean was completely immersed in the ecstasy of becoming an overnight internet sensation and reaching the absolute peak of the web, a second wave of joy immediately came knocking at the door!
Professor Elm walked in holding a document and a small box.
Although he was also genuinely happy for Sean, he didn’t let it show on his face.
“Here, brat.
You’re in luck.
The League approved it, and your Pokémon Trainer status has been officially registered.” With that, he handed the small box over to Sean.
Sean couldn’t wait to rip the box open.
Inside sat a highly fashionable, smartphone-like Rotom Phone!
“Hahaha, awesome!
Thank you so much, Professor!
You really are my angel investor!” Sean excitedly hugged the phone, absolutely unable to put it down.
“Ahem.” Professor Elm cleared his throat and continued: “You’re planning to take the standard route to Azalea Town next, right?
Perfect.
Do me a favor and deliver this package to the Pokémon Center over there while you’re at it.” Professor Elm pointed to a relatively small, sealed package sitting on the floorboards.
Basking in a double dose of good fortune, Sean was in a fantastic mood and agreed without a single second thought: “No problem, leave it to me!
It’s right on the way anyway!” ???
Wait, what?
Seeing Sean agree so cleanly without seizing the opportunity to demand benefits, Professor Elm froze slightly, massive alarm bells ringing inside his mind.
This didn’t fit the boy’s personality description at all!
*Is this still the Sean I know?* *Where did you hide the real Sean?!* Thoroughly bewildered, Professor Elm asked tentatively: “You’re just agreeing to it like that?
You’re not going to take the chance to extort some benefits out of me?
Like…
A case of Iced Black Tea, a case of Sprite?
A box of crispy noodle snacks?” “Professor, how could you look at me like that?!
Am I the kind of mercenary person who only cares about profit?” Sean’s tone was filled with pure, tragic indignation.
“Aren’t you?” “Sigh~ where is the trust between human beings?
You helped me lock down my Trainer status and my phone.
I remember that debt of gratitude!
I’m a good man who knows how to return a favor.
For a minor task like dropping off a package on the way, why would I ask for rewards?
Professor, what kind of person do you take me for?!
This is an absolute insult to my character!
Doesn’t your conscience hurt?!” Sean declared with absolute righteousness.
“Hiss—” This all-too-familiar rhetoric felt like something Professor Elm had heard somewhere before.
He pondered for a moment, then slapped his forehead as he recalled his very first battle of wits against Sean!